Midland States Bank Foundation Announces Contributions to Effingham Area Organizations

Midland States Bank has announced contributions to four local organizations. The organizations include Effingham Public Library, Crisis Nursery of Effingham County, Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum Association, and Ballard Nature Center of Altamont. The contributions, totaling $80,000, go towards supporting each organization’s community assistance programs.

The Midland States Bank Foundation provides improvements for the general welfare, education, and health in the communities where the Bank operates. Since its creation in 2011, the Foundation has contributed more than $715,000 to non-profit organizations throughout Midland’s footprint.

“Eight years ago we began to set aside a portion of the Bank’s profits, donated by our Midland States Bank Foundation, to various community organizations,” commented Jeffrey C. Ludwig, President and CEO of Midland States Bancorp, Inc. “It is a powerful way for us to give back to our communities and provide financial support for these important organizations. I am very pleased to see this effort continue today throughout the communities we serve.”

The Effingham Public Library is the recipient of $25,000 to assist with its new after-school program for middle school students. The RISE program, which stands for Read, Innovate, Serve and Engage, provides free after-school programming and activities for area students in 5th through 8th grade.

“RISE continues to be a wonderful service for our community and a successful program for our students. With support from Midland States Bank, we have the opportunity to expand this program and provide for our young learners,” said Effingham Public Library Director Amanda McKay.

(FROM LEFT: AARON MYERS, COMMERCIAL RELATIONSHIP MANAGER, MIDLAND STATES BANK; MANDY HENNING, REGIONAL PORTFOLIO MANAGER, MIDLAND STATES BANK; TIM SPITZ, SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT OF BANKING, MIDLAND STATES BANK; AMANDA McKAY, DIRECTOR, EFFINGHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY; LORA BERGFELD, PORTFOLIO MANAGER, MIDLAND STATES BANK; CHRISTO SCHULTZ, FINANCIAL ADVISOR, MIDLAND FINANCIAL ADVISORS)

Crisis Nursery of Effingham County received $35,000 to assist with their work to prevent childhood trauma, abuse and neglect through 24-hour emergency shelter care. The donation for this year will be used for renovating their upstairs space and adding a wheelchair lift to the side of the building. This program provides emergency shelter care to children from birth to six years of age.

"With this donation, Crisis Nursery of Effingham County can continue to grow and meet the ongoing needs of our community,” commented Meghan Rewers, Executive Director of Crisis Nursery of Effingham County. “With this year's generous gift from the Midland States Bank Foundation, we can renovate space upstairs that will be dedicated to providing families with a higher level of supportive services. We thank Midland for helping keep children safe and families strong in Effingham County."

(FROM LEFT: AARON MYERS; MANDY HENNING; CRAIG NIELSON, BOARD MEMBER, CRISIS NURSERY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY; PAT SWARTZBAUGH, BOARD MEMBER, CRISIS NURSERY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY; MEGHAN REWERS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CRISIS NURSERY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY; LORA BERGFELD, CHRISTO SCHULTZ)

The Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum Association (ECCCMA) received $15,000 to assist with improvements to their building as well as upgrading display cases. The museum provides education and showcases the history, art, and transportation of Effingham County.

“The Museum is at a stage in its existence during which there are rather large expenses required for improvements within the historic courthouse building, especially the clock tower and surrounding area,” said Delaine Donaldson, President of the ECCCMA. “We are so very grateful for the Bank's generosity through the years. It is easy to see that the Bank is community-oriented and is concerned with promoting the same values as the Museum."

(FRONT, FROM LEFT: MANDY HENNING; JANE RIES, VICE-PRESIDENT, ECCCMA; LoELLA BAKER, SECRETARY, ECCCMA; LORA BERGFELD; CHRISTO SCHULTZ; BACK, FROM LEFT: DELAINE DONALDSON, PRESIDENT, ECCCMA; ALLEN WESTENDORF, TREASURER, ECCCMA; JERRY KATZ, BOARD MEMBER, ECCCMA; LINDA RUHOLL, NURSE HISTORIAN, ECCCMA; AARON MYERS)

Ballard Nature Center of Altamont is the recipient of $5,000, which will directly benefit the evening and weekend programs as well as hiking trail maintenance. The nature center provides educational programs to schools, kids, adults and families throughout the year in addition to its hiking, picnic space, and fishing opportunities.

“At Ballard Nature Center, we take pride in providing a place for visitors to get out and enjoy nature,” commented Karan Greuel of Ballard Nature Center. “This donation from Midland will help us provide more diverse programming for families. We thank Midland for supporting the educational opportunities we offer to the community and the value of spending time in nature.”

(FROM LEFT: AARON MYERS; MANDY HENNING; LYNN HIGGS, BOARD MEMBER, BALLARD NATURE CENTER; KEVIN ROEPKE, BOARD MEMBER, BALLARD NATURE CENTER; LORA BERGFELD; CHRISTO SCHULTZ)